From Musical Artist & Theatrical Performer to Film and Television Actor
There are only a few singers and theatrical performers who have had a successful career in music, stage, movies, and television. These individuals have been able to transition from musical artist and entertainer to actor. They have received the industry’s highest film, television and music honors such as: The Academy Award (Oscar), Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony Award, British Academy of Film and Television Art (BAFTA), Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG), Grammy, ASCAP, Blockbuster, American Music Award, MTV, Image Award, BET, Black Music, Black Reel, Kid’s & People’s Choice Awards.
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Will Smith is one of the most successful and powerful movie stars in Hollywood today. Born in 1968, Willard Christopher “Will” Smith Jr., has enjoyed success as a rapper, television star and film producer. Smith is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in domestic box office, and the only actor to have eight consecutive films open at #1 in the domestic box office as a lead actor. In the late 1980’s, he rose to fame as a rapper under the name of “The “Fresh Prince” along with DJ Jazzy Jeff. The duel gained critical acclaim with hits, “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime.” In 1988, they won a Grammy Award in the first ever Rap Category. In the late 1990’s, Smith released a string of hit singles, “Getting Jiggy Wit It” “Just the Two of Us” “Big Willie Style” and “Willenium”. He enjoyed television success in the series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He went on to star in several Hollywood movies such as: Six Degrees of Separation, Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, Enemy Of The State, Wild Wild West, The Legend of Bigger Vance, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happiness, I am Legend, Hancock, and Seven Pounds. Smith received a nomination for best actor from: The Academy Awards, Golden Globe, Image Awards, MTV Movie Award and Black Reel, for his work in the films, Ali (2001) and The Pursuit of Happiness (2006). He is married to Jada Pinkett, who is a film and television actress, producer, director, model, author, and singer-songwriter.
Jamie Foxx is the second male, and the first African American in history to receive two Academy Award nominations in the same year for two different movies, Collateral and Ray (2005). He went on to win the Oscar, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, and the: BET, Image, and Black Reel Award for lead actor; for his biopic performance on the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. Foxx is the one of four African American males to receive an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading role, along with Sidney Poitier, Lillies of the Field (1962), Denzel Washington, Training Day (2001), and Forrest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland (2006). Born as Eric Marlon Bishop in 1967, Foxx began his career as a stand-up comic. In 1991, he joined the television cast of In Living Color, which eventually lead to his own television sitcom; The Jamie Foxx Show. In 1997, he made his film debut in the comedy, Booty Call. He went on to star in Oliver Stone’s, 1997 film, Any Given Sunday, and Breaking All the Rules, Collateral, Ray, Stealth, Jarhead, Miami Vice, Dreamgirls, The Kingdom, and The Soloist. Foxx has enjoyed a successful music career with successful collaborations with singer, Kanye West’s song, “Gold Digger” (2004), and with rapper, Twista’s song, “Slow Jamz “(2004). In 2005, Foxx’s second studio album, “Unpredictable” went on to become certified double Platinum, selling over 1,000,000 copies. Foxx is one of four artists who have won an Academy Award for acting and have achieved a number one certified album in the United States. The other three to accomplish this are Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, Foxx’s third album titled, “Intuition” (2008), produced the number one single, “Blame It”, which became a top 5 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Queen Latifah’s musical career started in the late 1980’s as a rapper. Born, Dana Elaine Owens in 1970, she is credited for being one of the first successful female rappers, which she is also known as, Hip-hops first lady. In 1989, Latifah released her first album, “All Hail the Queen.” In 1994, Latifah won a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance for the song, “U.N.I.T.Y.” She is a very versatile music artist who also sings soul/jazz standards, R&B, and pop music. From 1993 to 1998 she enjoyed success in the television sitcom, Living Single. In 1991, she began her film career in supporting roles in films such as: Jungle Fever, House Party 2, Juice, Set it Off, Hoodlum, Living Out Loud, Bone Collector, Brown Sugar, Bringing Down the House, Scary Movie 3, Beauty Shop, Barbershop 2, Taxi Hair Spray, Perfect Holiday, Mad Money, What Happens in Vegas, and The Secret Life of Bees. In 2006, she starred as the leading actress in the film, Last Holiday. In 2002, she received nominations for Best Supporting Actress, from The Academy Awards, Golden Globe, BET, MTV, Screen Actors Guild, and the Black Reel Awards; for her performance in the film, Chicago. Queen Latifah is also a successful Cover Girl model.
Jennifer Hudson is one of four African-American actresses to win an Academy Award in a competitive category, along with Hattie McDaniel, Gone with the Wind (1939), Whoopi Goldberg, Ghost (1990), Halle Berry, Monster’s Ball (2001). In 2007, Hudson won best supporting actress for her performance in the movie, Dream Girls (2006); starring with Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Beyonce Knowles. Hudson’s electrifying performance in the role of Effie White, and show-stopping onscreen rendition of the hit song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”; a musical standard, originally sung by Jennifer Holiday (1982); brought Hudson worldwide attention and critical acclaim.She is one of six actresses to win the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and The Screen Actors Guild Award for the same performance. Born in 1981, Hudson gained attention as a singer, and contestant on the Fox reality television show, American Idol (2004). In 2008, she released her debut album titled, “Jennifer Hudson” which sold more than 500,000 copies and became certified gold. The album produced the hit single “Spotlight” which went on to win the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. She went on to star in the films, Sex and the City (2007) and The Secret Life of Bees (2008).
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Cher is the only female solo artist to reach the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in each of the previous four decades. She holds the Hot 100 record for the longest hit-making career span; with 33 years between the release of her first and most recent #1 singles, in 1965 and 1998. Born in 1946, Cher has enjoyed success as a pop singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, and director. At the age of seventeen she came to prominence as one half of the pop rock duo, Sony & Cher with their over-night hit, “I Got You Babe.” They went on to star in the 1970’s television variety show, The Sony and Cher Comedy Hour, for which she won a Golden Globe Award. With a successful music career, Cher went on to star in the 1983 film, Silkwood, which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred in the hit films Mask (1985), and The Witches of Eastwick (1987). In 1998, she won the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in the film, Moonstruck. In 1999, her best selling single” Believe” sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Bette Midler is a singer, actress and comedienne, who has won four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Born in 1945, Bette is known by her informal stage name “The Devine Miss M.” Her career started on Broadway in the summer of 1965. She performed in a variety of off Broadway shows which eventually led to a meeting with famed singer and pianist Barry Manilow who produced her first major album, “The Devine Miss M” (1972). After, an appearance on The Tonight Show, her career immediately sky-rocked. In 1979, she received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of drug-addicted rock star Janis Joplin, in the film, The Rose; a 1960s-era rock and roll tragedy. She went on to star in the films, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune, Big Business, Beaches, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, and The Stepford Wives. In 1991, she received her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in the film, For the Boys. Bette has had a successful career in music, film, theatre, and television spanning over four decades. In 2008, Bette Midler’s headlining show, The Showgirl Must Go On, opened at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas, alongside with performer Cher, and has received rave reviews.
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Liza Minnelli was born into a well known Hollywood family, in 1946. Her mother is entertainer Judy Garland, who is best known for her role as Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Her Father is film director, Vincente Minnelli, who is known for directing Hollywood musicals. At the age of 19, Minnelli began performing as a singer and dancer in the off-Broadway revival of the musical, Best Food Forward (1963). At the age of 19, she became the youngest woman ever to win a Tony Award for Lead Actress, in a Broadway show, Flora the Red Menace (1965). Soon after, she started working as a professional nightclub singer. She began doing concert performances with her mother in various venues, including the London Palladium. Her success as a live performer led to a record deal with Capitol Records. She recorded several albums of traditional pop and show tunes from different musicals. In 1972, she won the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a leading role for the American musical film, Cabaret. She also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical/Comedy. She went on to star in the film, New York, New York (1977), which gave Minnelli her best known signature song of the same name. Frank Sinatra also released a successful cover version of the song. In 1989, she received the Grammy Legend Award, making her one of only 12 other entertainers that include: Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Streisand and Mel Brooks among others, to win an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar. In 1997, Minnelli returned back to Broadway, where she received rave reviews for her performance in the musical, Victor/Victoria, replacing Julie Andrews. Minnelli has gone on to work as a successful concert performer, Broadway star, and she has made several appearances on television.
Diana Ross was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1944. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the female group, The Supremes. Since beginning her career in the early 1960’s, as one of Motown’s most successful artist; Ross has sold more than 100 million records, including her work with The Supremes, In 1969, Ross left the Supremes to pursue a solo career. That same year, she introduced Motown’s newest act, The Jackson 5, to national audiences; featuring lead singer, Michael Jackson. Ross was the first female solo artist to score six number-one hits. She received an Academy Award nomination for her electrifying performance of the legendary singer, Billie Holiday, in Lady Sings the Blues (1972); co-starring with actor, Billy Dee Williams. Ross was nominated along with Cicely Tyson (Sounder) and Liza Minnelli (Cabaret). She lost to Minnelli, but did win the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. In 1975, Ross again co-starred with Billy Dee Williams in the Motown film Mahogany, where she played an aspiring fashion designer who becomes a successful runway model. She went on to star as Dorothy in the African American reinterpretation of The Wizard of Oz, with Michael Jackson, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, Nipsey Russell and Ted Ross. The Wiz was produced by Motown, and the soundtrack album was produced by Quincy Jones; selling over 850,000 copies. In 1993, the Guinness Book of World Records declared Diana Ross as the most successful female artist in history with a total of eighteen American number-one singles: twelve as lead singer of The Supremes (she was later surpassed by Mariah Carey). Ross has recorded 61 studio albums. She has received twelve Grammy Award nominations, and she has won an American Music Award, and a Tony Award for her one-woman show, An Evening with Diana Ross (1977). In 1993, Ross co-starred with R&B singer Brandy in the ABC television movie Double Platinum. In 2007, Ross was a Kennedy Center honoree; recognized for her career achievements by then-President George W. Bush.
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Barbara Streisand is one of the best selling solo recording artists in the United States; selling over 100 million records. She has won nine Grammy Awards and two Academy Awards. Born in 1942, Streisand became a nightclub singer while in her teens. She appeared in a number of Off-Off-Broadway shows, which led to an appearance on The Tonight Show. Her first album won two Grammy Awards in 1963; “The Barbara Streisand Album”. Her first film was a reprise of the Broadway hit, Funny Girl (1968), which she shared a Academy Award win with actress Katherine Hepburn, The Lion in Winter (1968).She went on star in the films: Hello Dolly, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, The Owl and the Pussycat, What’s up Doc, The Main Event, and For Pete’s Sake. In 1973, she co-starred along with Robert Redford in the film, The Way We Were; one of her most famous roles during this period, which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In 1976, she earned her second Academy Award for Best Original Song, “Evergreen” from the film, “A Star Is Born,” which she was the first woman to win this award. During the 1970’s she had a string of successful songs on the pop charts, that included: “Up the Sandbox”, “The Way We Were”, “No More Tears” (Enough is Enough), with Donna Summers, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”, with Neil Diamond, “The Main Even” and “All Night Long”. In 1980, she released her bestselling album, “Guilty”, produced by Barry Gibb. In 1983, Streisand was the producer, director, writer and star in the films, Yentl (1983), The Prince of Tides (1991), and The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996). After an eight-year hiatus, Streisand returned to acting, in the film Meet the Fockers (2004).Streisand holds the record for the most Top Ten albums of any female recording artist; 29 Top Tens spanning over 34 years. Streisand has released 50 Gold albums, 30 Platinum albums, and 15 Multi-Platinum albums. In 2008, she was inducted as a Kennedy Centre Honoree.
Rita Moreno is the first and only Hispanic female, and one of ten performers who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award. Born in 1931, of Puerto Rican descent, Rosita Doloros Alverio began her career working as a singer and dancer in Broadway shows. She had small roles in the film musicals, Singin in the Rain (1952), and The King and I (1956). Moreno stared in the groundbreaking film adaptation of the Broadway musical, West Side Story (1961); played by Chita Rivera on Broadway. She won the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. She went on to star in the films, The Night of the Following Day (1968) and Carnal Knowledge (1971). She received a Grammy Award for her work on the PBS television children series, The Electric Company (1971). She received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series for her appearance on the television series, The Rockford Files (1974). Moreno has made guest appearances on the televisions series: The Muppet Show, The Love Boat, Miami Vice, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, The Nanny, OZ, Law and Order, George Lopez and Ugly Betty. In 2000, Moreno received the Library of Congress Living Legends Award. In 2001, she received the “Special Recognition Award” from The International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 2004, she was honored by then President George W. Bush with the “Presidential Medal of Freedom.” Moreno continues to be active on stage and screen.
Julie Andrews is a British film and stage actress and singer, whose voice spans four octaves. She rose to prominence starring in some of Hollywood most popular musicals in the 1950’s and 1960’s. She is best known for her performance in the most successful film of all time, The Sound of Music (1965). Born in 1935, she was a child actress and singer who made her professional stage debut in the London production, The Boy Friend (1954). Her stand out performance led to an appearance with Bing Crosby in the first made-for-television movie, High Tor. In 1956, she went on to star in the Broadway production, My Fair Lady. In 1957, she received an Emmy Award for Best Single Performance in the television musical, Cinderella. Andrews costarred with Dick Van Dyke in the Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins, (1964). The musical was the most Oscar nominated Disney films in history. The film received 13 Academy Awards nominations. Andrews won for Best Actress, as well as the Golden Globe and The BAFTA Award. Andrews co-starred with James Garner in the film, The Americanization of Emily (1964), which she won her second Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. In 1965, she starred in the musical, The Sound of Music (1965). The songs were written by legendary composers, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein. In 1960, she starred along with Richard Burton and Robert Goulet in the period musical, as Queen Guinevere in Camelot. She appeared on several television specials that included: The Ed Sullivan Show, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, What’s My Line?, The Jack Benny Program, The Andy Williams Show, The Bell Telephone Hour and The Garry Moore Show as well as her own Emmy Award color special, The Julie Andrews Show, which featured Gene Kelly, and The New Christy Minstrels as guest. She costarred with Carol Burnett in a CBS television special taped at Carnegie Hall in New York. In, 1966 she starred with Paul Newman in the Hitchcock thriller, Torn Curtain (1966). In 1971, she shared the spotlight with calypso singer Harry Belafonte in a NBC-TV special, An Evening with Julie Andrews and Harry Belafonte. From 1972-1973, Andrews starred in her own ABC network, television variety show, The Julie Andrews Hour, which won eight Emmy Awards. In 1983, she earned an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, in the film, Victor/Victoria. She went on to star in various stage and screen productions. Andrews had a major revival of her film career in the 2000’s, when she stared in the family films: The Princess Diaries (2001), its sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) and the Shrek animated films (2004-2007). In 2001, Andrews received the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2007, she was honored with the Screen Actors Guild, Lifetime Achievement Award. Andrews is also an author of children’s books, and in 2008 she published an autobiography, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years.
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Elvis Presley is a cultural icon who has set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recording sales. Elvis has sold over one billion records and he is considered one of the most influential artists in the history of music. Referred to as the “The King of Rock” or simply “The King”, he was born in 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. In 1954, Elvis began his career performing rockabilly music, which was an up-tempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues, with a strong back beat. His sound led to a lot of controversy among African American artist, who felt that Elvis has undoubtedly stole or at least derived his style from Negro rhythm-and-blue performers of the late 1940’s. In 1956, Elvis recorded his first song for RCA records in Nashville, Tennessee. The single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was an instant success; selling over one million copies. His first album, titled “Elvis Presley” went on to top the album pop charts for 10 weeks, with such hits as “Any Way You Want Me” and “Don’t Be Cruel”. Elvis began touring, which he made television appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Milton Berle Show, and The Steve Allen Show, drawing high ratings; over 60 million viewers. With his remake of the song “Hound Dog” and his explicit sexual moves on stage, which were compared to “masturbation” or riding a microphone; Elvis became an instant success with the youth; “the first rock symbol of teenage rebellion.” Elvis was even seen by the FBI, as a “definite danger to the security of the United States.” Some saw the singer as a sexual pervert, who could easily arouse teenage boys and girls, to sexual indulgence. Elvis’s first motion picture, Love Me Tender, was released in November, 1956. Elvis went on to star in 31 movies that included: Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Blue Hawaii, Paradise, Hawaiian Style, Fun in Acapulco, Viva Las Vegas, Tickle Me, Come Easy, Live a Little, The Trouble with Girls and Change of Habit. In 1958, Elvis was drafted into the military, giving him a two-year hiatus from recording. Upon returning from the army, he continued with a string of hits, that included: “It’s Now or Never“, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”, “One Night”, “I Got Stung”, “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I”, “Can’t Help Falling Love”, “Return to Sender”, “Viva Las Vegas” , and “Burning Love.” In the 1960’s, his films and soundtracks grossed over $275 million. In 1972, a documentary was filmed on Elvis’s fourteen-date tour, with an unprecedented four consecutive sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, New York. Elvis on Tour (1972) won a Golden Globe for Best Documentary. Elvis continued to perform all over the world, as well as a long engagements in Las Vegas. Elvis had developed health problems throughout his life, magnified by taking prescription drugs. On August 17, 1977 at the age of 42, Elvis died of an apparent drug overdose. His beloved estate, Graceland is a museum that is open to the public. Graceland is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and in 2006; it was declared a National Historic Landmark. His daughter, Lisa Marie Presley is a successful Hollywood actress who was once married to legendary singer, Michael Jackson.
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Dean Martin was one of the best known musical artists of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Born, Dino Paul Crocetti, in 1917 to Italian immigrant parents; he eventually became an unofficial ambassador to the Italian-American community. He is one of a few entertainers that have had major success in four areas of show business: concert stage, recordings, motion pictures and television. Martin began his career in the early 1940’s as a singer for bandleader Sammy Watkins, who suggested he change his name to Dean Martin. With his good looks and personality, he became popular with his crooning style of singing. A crooner is a singer of popular ballads, who is normally backed by a full orchestra or big band. While working the nightclub circuit, he met comedian Jerry Lewis, Their meeting led to the formation of a music-comedy team. They did slapstick, reeled off old vaudeville jokes, and whatever else popped in their heads at the moment. This led to a successful stage act and a series of well-paying engagements, as well as a radio show, Martin and Lewis (1949). They negotiated one of the most successful contracts in the industry; giving them complete control of their club, record, radio and television appearances, and it was through these endeavors they earned millions of dollars. They were signed by Paramount studios as a comic relief for the movie, My Friend Irma (1949). With a successful act: the pace and the pressure took a toll on them, which they eventually parted ways. Martin’s first solo film, Ten Thousand Bedrooms (1957) was a box office failure. He went on to co-star with Marlon Brando and Montgomery Cliff in the war film, The Young Lions (1957). Martin co-starred with Frank Sinatra in the highly acclaimed Vincente Minnelli drama, Some Came Running (1958). He starred along with John Wayne, in the films, Rio Bravo (1959), and The Sons of Katie Elder (1965). Throughout his career, Martin starred in over 60 movies and television productions. Martin eventually developed his own style of singing; moving away from similarities to Bing Crosby and Perry Como. He went on to record more than 100 albums and 600 songs. Some of his signature songs include: “Everybody Loves Somebody”, “The Door is Still Open To My Heart” , Memories Are Made of This”, “That’s Amore”, “Mambo Iltaliano”, “Sway”, “Volare”, “Ain’t That a Kick In the Head.” For three decades, Martin was among the most popular acts in Las Vegas. Martin and Frank Sinatra became close friends, which in the late 1950’s they formed the legendary “Rat Pack” group, along with friends Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Jr. They were one of the most successful acts in Las Vegas, and they were largely responsible for the integration of Las Vegas. Sinatra and Martin continuously refused to appear anywhere that barred Sammy Davis Jr.; forcing the casinos to open their doors to African American entertainers and patrons. In 1965, Martin starred in his own weekly NBC comedy-variety show, The Dean Martin Show, which was a huge hit; earning him a Golden Globe for Best Male Television Star. With a successful career, Martin retreated from show business in the early 1970’s; occasionally making appearances on stage and screen. In 1993, Martin was diagnosed with lung cancer. In 1995, he died of acute respiratory failure at the age of 78. In 2004, Martin received a gold record for his fastest-selling album ever, Dino: The Essential Dean Martin, which also hit iTunes Top 10.
Frank Sinatra is one of the most popular singers and actors of the 1940’s and 1950. He is the recipient of eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Trustee Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in 1915, Sinatra is the only child of Italian Immigrant parents. Sinatra began his career in the early 1930’s, during the swing era. In 1939, bandleader Tommy Dorsey asked Sinatra to join his band. In his first year with Dorsey, he released more than forty songs; with “I’ll Never Smile Again” topping the charts. In 1943, Sinatra signed a contract with Columbia Records during the musicians recording strike. He became very successful as a recording artist; working with many of the finest musical arrangers of the era. In 1940, Sinatra appeared in his first film, Last Vegas Nights. By then, Sinatra was at the top of the male singer polls. Sinatra co-starred with Gene Kelly in the film, Anchors Aweigh (1945). Sinatra shared a special Academy Award and Golden Globe for participating and for “Promoting Good Will” for the 10 minute short film, The House I Live In (1945); a film on tolerance and racial equality. In 1946 he released his first album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, and the debut of his own weekly radio show. In 1949, Sinatra stared with Ann Miller, Bette Garret, Jules Munshin, Vera-Ellen and Alice Pearce, in the instant hit musical film, Out on the Town; directed by Gene Kelly. The film won the Academy Award for Best Music Scoring and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical. In 1951, Sinatra made his Las Vegas debut at the Desert Inn Hotel. In 1953, Sinatra won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film, From Here to Eternity. He co-starred with Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Ernest Borgnine, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed. The film won eight Academy Awards out of 13 nominations. Sinatra was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the drama film, The Man with the Golden Arm. He starred in other successful movies that include: High Society, Pal Joel, and Guys and Dolls. In 1955, Sinatra released his first full 12-inch LP, In the Wee Small Hours. It remains one of the most celebrated and enduring concept albums; a compiled collection of ballads, confessing a central mood of late-night isolation and aching lost love (supposedly due to his separation from actress, Ava Gardner). Sinatra released the album, Songs for Swingin Lovers (1956). The album is made up of pop standards in a hipper, jazzier fashion. In 2000, it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2003 it was ranked number 306 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Sinatra released a string of successful albums that include: Where are You? Come Fly with Me, Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely, Nice ‘n’ Easy, Ring-A-Ding-Ding, and Sinatra at the Sands. In 1965, Sinatra starred in the Emmy-winning television special, Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music, which he scored a hit with songs: “Strangers in the Night” and “My Way.” In the mid 1960’s, Sinatra and Dean Martin formed the Rat Pack, along with Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. They appeared together on stage and in films including the movie, Ocean’s Eleven. The Rat Pack performed in Nevada, and they were instrumental in the rise of Las Vegas as a popular entertainment destination. In the 1970’s, Sinatra’s career began to dwindle with the changing taste in popular music. After a brief retirement, Sinatra recorded several albums. Singer-songwriter Paul Anka wrote one of Sinatra’s most popular signature songs, “My Way.” In 1980, Sinatra scored a Top 40 hit with the theme song from the movie, New York, New York. In 1983, Sinatra was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors. In 1985 he was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan, In 1997, he was honored with The Congressional Gold Medal. In 1990, Sinatra celebrated his 75th birthday with a national tour, and was awarded the second “Ella Award” by the Los Angeles-based Society of Singers. At the award ceremony, he performed for the final time with legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald. Sinatra continued to tour, despite various health problems; his memory began to fail him. In 1994, he was awarded The Legend Award at the Grammy Awards. In 1998, Sinatra died after suffering another heart attack. In 2008, The U.S. Postal Service issued a 42-cent postage stamp in honor of Sinatra. On May 20, 2008, The U.S. Congress passed a resolution, designating May 13 as Frank Sinatra day to honor his contribution to American culture.
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Judy Garland is best known for her role as Dorothy, in The Wizard of OZ (1939). She was born, Frances Ethel Gumm, in 1922; to an entertainment family of vaudevillians. Her career began at the age of 2 years old, when she joined her two older sisters on stage, singing a chorus to the song “Jingle Bells”, at her father’s movie theater. “The Gumm Sister” continued to tour on the vaudeville circuit, and eventually changed their name to “The Garland Sisters.” One of Garland’s first professional recordings was the song, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart”, a popular song that would become a standard in many of her concerts. In 1935, at the age of 13, Judy was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Garland was self conscious about her looks, because she did not exemplify the more glamorous persona required of leading ladies of the time; Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor and Lana Turner. Garland was a big success for MGM studios. They paired her with actor Mickey Rooney, which proved to be a winning formula. They became a sensation with their performance in the movies, Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry (1937) and Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938). To keep up with the frantic pace of making one movie after another, they were both given amphetamine and barbiturate drugs, which led to Garland’s lifelong dependency on prescription drugs. At the age of 16, Garland stared in the lead role as Dorothy Gale, in The Wizard of Oz. The movie produced one of her most identifiable songs, “Over the Rainbow.”Garland received an Academy Juvenile Award for her performance. Garland went on to star in several films that include: Andy Hardy Meets Debutante, Strike Up the Band, Little Nelli; and For Me and My Gal, alongside Gene Kelly in his first screen appearance. At the age of 21, she stared in the film, Presenting Lily Mars (1943). She was given the glamour treatment, that included a more “grown-up” stylish look; beautiful gowns and lighten hair. One of her most successful films for MGM was, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). The movie produced three songs that became popular standards; “The Trolley Song”, “The Boy Next Door”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The film was directed by famed director, Vincente Minnelli, which he and Garland married in 1945. Their daughter, Liza Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946. Garlands first straight dramatic film was, The Clock (1945). The film was critically praised and earned a profit, but movie fans were disappointed that she did not sing in the movie. In the film, The Harvey Girls (1946), Garland introduced the Academy Award winning song, “On the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe.” In 1947, Garland suffered a nervous breakdown while filming the movie, The Pirate. She was placed in a private sanitarium, but was able to still complete the movie. Later that year she made her first attempt to commit suicide, by making minor cuts to her wrist. She went on to star in the movies: Easter Parade, In the Good Summertime, and her final film with MGM, Summer Stock. In 1951, Garland began a four-month concert tour of the United Kingdom, where she played to sold-out audiences. She made her first appearance at the renowned London Palladium. Garland was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the motion picture, A Star is Born (1954). The film was met with tremendous critical and popular acclaim, and Garland was the favorite to win the Academy Award. She lost to Grace Kelly for, The Country Girl (1954), and this turned out to be one of the biggest upsets in Academy Award history. Garland did win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in the file. In the mid 1950’s, Garland appeared in a number of television specials. In 1956, she began working as a headliner in Nevada, and she became the highest paid entertainer to work Las Vegas, earning $55,000 per week. In 1959, Garland was diagnosed with acute hepatitis, which she was told that she likely had five years or less to live. In 1961, Garland’s appearance at Carnegie Hall, in New York, is considered by many to be “the greatest night in show business history.” Garlands, two-record album, Judy at Carnegie Hall, went certified gold, and the album won five Grammy Awards, including: Album of the Year. In 1962, The Judy Garland Show premiered with featured guest Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The show was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Garland returned to stage, with a notable performance at the London Palladium with her then 18-year old daughter Liza Minnelli. On June 22, 1969, Garland was found dead from a drug overdose, in Chelsea, London. Some say she it was an accident, while others believe she tried to commit suicide.
Bing Crosby was once declared “the most admired man alive,” ahead of Jackie Robinson and Pope Pius XII; according to 1948 polls. Crosby’s sales and chart statistics place him among the most popular and successful musical acts of the 20th century. Crosby is one of a few people to have three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He appeared in 79 pictures, in which he received top billing in 55 of them. According to ticket sales, Crosby is the third most popular actor of all times, behind Clark Cable and John Wayne. Born in 1903, Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby, is credited as being a major inspiration for most of the male singers of the era that followed him, including: Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He started out performing with local bands. He made a good living, so he decided to drop out of school during his final year to pursue a career in show business. In 1926, Crosby and singer Al Rinker began working together as a vocal dual. They caught the attention of the most famous bandleader at that time, Paul Whiteman. As popular as the Crosby and Rinker partnership was, Whiteman added another member to the group; pianist and aspiring songwriter, Harris Burris. The trio was called, The Rhythm Boys. Crosby became the star attraction of the group, and in 1928, he had his first number one hit, “Ol Man River.” In 1931, Crosby left the group for a solo career; signing a contract with Brunswick Records. He became a huge success when CBS Radio signed him to do a weekly 15 minute radio broadcast. Crosby became the most successful recording artist; ten of the top 50 song for 1931 either featured Crosby solo or with others. Crosby did his first feature length film, The Big Broadcast (1932). Crosby biggest musical hit was his recording of “White Christmas” (1942). The song was written by legendary composer and lyricist, Irving Berlin. The song remains Crosby’s best-selling recording, and the best-selling single and best-selling song of all time. “White Christmas” has sold over 100 million copies, with at least 50 million sales as singles. Crosby won an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role as Father Chuck O’Malley in the motion picture, Going My Way (1944). He was nominated again for Best Actor for the film, The Bells of Saint Mary’s (1945). In 1947, Crosby invested $50,000 in the Ampex Company, who developed North America’s first commercial reel-to-reel tape recorder. This led to Crosby becoming the first performer to pre-record his radio shows and master his commercial recording on magnetic tape. He partnered with Bob Hope to star in seven musical comedy films. His third Academy Award nomination came for his critically acclaimed performance in the film, The Country Girl (1954). By the late 1950’s, Crosby’s popularity peaked and the adolescent baby boom generation began to affect record sales. Cosby starred with teen idol, Fabian and Tuesday Weld in the collegiate comedy, High Time (1960). This foretold the emerging gap between older Crosby fans and a new generation of films and music. In the 1960’s, Bing Crosby Productions, produced a number of television series that included: The Bing Crosby Show, Ben Casey, Breaking Point, Hogan’s Heroes, and Slattery’s People. In 1962, Crosby was the first person to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1977, Crosby died of a massive heart after a round of golf in Madrid, Spain. Throughout his career he had 1,700 recordings, 383 of those in the top 30 and of those, 41 hit #1. In 2007, Crosby was inducted into The Hit Parade Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was inducted into The Western Music Hall of Fame.
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Singers / Entertainer who have worked in Hollywood movies and Independent films
50 Cents, Aaliyah, Adrienne Bailon (3LW), Alicia Keys, Andre 3000 (Outcast) Ann Margaret, Annette Funicello, Ashanti, Ashley Tisdale, Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler, Beyonce, Big Boi (Outcast), Billy Ray Cyrus, Bing Crosby, Bobby Brown, Bow Wow, Brandy, Britney Spears, Busta Rhymes, Cab Calloway, Cam’ron, Carmon Miranda, Cher, Chilli (TLC), Christina Milian, Ciara, Common, Corbin Bleu, Courtney Love, Cyndi Lauper, Da Brat, David Bowie, Dean Martin, Diana Ross, Dinah Shore, Dolly Pardon, DMX, Dorothy Dandridge, Dr. Dre, Dwight Yoakam, Elvis, Eminem, Enrique Iglesias, Erykah Badu, Eve, Fabian, Faith Hill, Flavor Fav, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Avalon, Gene Kelly, Ginuwine, Harry Belafonte, Ice Cube, Ice T, Irene Cara, Isaac Hayes, Ja Rule, Jay Z, Jada Pinkett, Jamie Foxx, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jermaine Dupri, Jessica Simpson, Jill Scott, Jimmy Cliff, Jon Bon Jovi , Jonas Brothers, Josephine Baker, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Keanu Reeves, Kelly Roland, Kid ‘n Play, Kiely Williams (3LW), Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, LeAnn Rimes, Lena Horne, Lenny Kravitz, Letoya Luckett, Lil Kim, LL Cool J, Macy Gray, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Marilyn Monroe, Mark Anthony, Mark Wahlberg, Marques Houston, Mary J. Blige, Master P, Method Man, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Miley Cyrus, Mimi Driver, Missy Elliot, Monica, Monique Coleman, Mya, Mos Def, Naz, Naturi Naughton (3LW), Nelly, Nick Cannon, Nick Lachey, Omarion, Pat Boone, Patti Labelle, Paul Anka, Pearl Bailey, Prince, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, Raven Symone, Reba McEntire, Red Man Rick Springfield, Ricky Nelson, Sammy Davis Jr., Sean ‘P. Diddy” Combs, Snoop Dogg, Sting, T.I, T Boz (TLC), Tatiana Ali, Terrence Howard, Tina Turner, Tisha Campbell, Tobey Keith, Toni Braxton, Tupac Shakur, Tyrese, Usher, Vanessa Hudgens, Vanessa Williams, Whitney Houston, William Shatner, Will Smith, Willie Nelson, Zac Efron
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